Our friends at BCE have transformed a computer lab into a true 21st Century Learning Space. From the light green walls to the innovative furniture, this room is a place in which learning can be transformed. Here are some of photos of the highlights of my visit. 

The answer is yes! Especially when you use a website like Kahoot! Kahoot is a free, game-based classroom response system that Laura Wright heard about from some fellow EISD teachers. Laura set up an account and created a STAAR Math review for all of the Third Graders. All 5 classes joined her in the cafeteria on Friday to participate in what turned out to be more like a STAAR party than a test review. 

The set up was simple.Just like Nearpod, students are given a code that gives them access to the review. Once the students are in, they are asked for their name and then the first multiple choice question appears. After all students have replied, a bar graph is created with the correct answer and the percentage of students who selected each of the available answers. The next screen is what keeps the students focused and raises the energy level in the room to something totally uncharacteristic of a STAAR review. It shows the names of the students who currently have the top 5 scores. That one aspect of this site makes it stand out amongst all of the other response apps and websites we have encountered. It leads to a friendly, enthusiastic air of competition and a good time is had by all...especially the adults who are looking on. 

Side note: In the 30 minutes or so that we were in the cafeteria, only one or two students lost their connection to the site. That speaks volumes about the possibilities for this site in our 1:1 environment. Good stuff for sure.